Reform UK announces latest councillor in Scotland is daughter of former Labour MP
The daughter of a former Scottish Labour MP has been announced as Reform UK's latest councillor.
Julie MacDougall, who previously sat as an independent on Fife Council, has today signed-up for Nigel Farage's right-wing populists. The member for Kinghorn and Burntisland quit Labour last year after she claimed she was blocked from becoming a general election candidate.
The councillor is the daughter of the late John MacDougall, an ally of Gordon Brown who served as Labour MP for Glenrothes from 2001 until his death in 2008.
Reform claimed her arrival was further proof it was on course to become "Scotland's main vehicle of opposition to this arrogantly out-of-touch SNP Government".
MacDougall said: "I will always do my best to help and improve people's lives. That's where my passion has always lay, with you, my community. After thoughtful consultation I am delighted to join Reform UK to become part of a team who want to deliver real change for our communities.
"I want more grown up, authentic politics and an opportunity to work together to offer better. I look forward to this exciting new chapter and I remain fully committed to serving the people of Fife as always with my full commitment, honesty and Integrity."
MacDougall previously claimed she quit Labour last year in protest at the party "parachuting" in a candidate based in London to contest the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency.
The seat was ultimately won by Melanie Ward for Anas Sarwar's party. MacDougall said in the run-up to the vote: "It is no secret that candidates are being imposed on members and constituents in a non-democratic, autocratic manner which I simply cannot support.
"Our local area is being denied the opportunity to have a local candidate and in my opinion this is not acceptable."
She was first elected to represent the Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy ward in May 2022. She followed in the footsteps of her late father who was a former Rosyth Dockyard worker, respected MP and leader of Fife Council.
'I know he would have been thoroughly disappointed at what has been happening, particularly here in Fife,' Cllr MacDougall said.
'I have lost faith in the Labour Party and do not believe it is practising what it preaches while upholding its core values.'
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